For 59-year-old Janssen, a former marketing director from Belgium, the quest to honor Van Gogh began with a fateful accident more than two decades ago.
In July 1985, he was driving home from a day in the country when he was hit by a drunk driver. During his convalescence, he learned that the crash had taken place in front of the inn where Van Gogh died.
Two years later, Janssens founded the Insitut Van Gogh, purchased the inn and spent six years painstakingly restoring it.
All the efforts he made were made with the goal of one day hanging a Van Gogh where the artist died. Janssens says everything but the money is ready.
Van Gogh's tiny room is already outfitted with a museum-quality glass display case designed by the architect and engineer who designed the one for the Mona Lisa at the Louvre in Paris, and security systems are in place, Janssens said.
If he doesn't get enough for the painting, his Web site says half of the funds collected will go the Institut Van Gogh's future development and the other half donated to a museum "closely related" to Van Gogh, such as the Musee d'Orsay in Paris.
His effort won't end if he loses the bid for The Fields. "If it doesn't work this time, then we will wait two or three years when another (painting) will be up for sale," Janssens said.
"Van Gogh said 'One day or another.' He didn't give a date, so we still have time. If you can dream it, you can do it."
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